How can I keep woodpeckers from pecking my house?

The persistent tapping and drumming of woodpeckers,
sapsuckers and flickers make them very noisy and destructive pests indeed—especially
if they’re drumming right outside your bedroom window! The noise and
destruction is often worse in the spring, (mating season), when the birds
announce their territories or their “availability” in the loudest way possible—sometimes
making even more noise by tapping on
metal siding and gutters. But these birds may also be pecking at your home or
nearby trees to feed on insects or tree sap, or when they’re looking for a soft
spot in the wood to hollow out for a nest. So you should take some action as
soon as you believe the woodpecker is a problem, especially because the longer
they stay, the harder they are to get rid of!

The good news is that people have come up with a variety of
ways to rid their homes and yards of these pesky birds but the bad news is that
these methods vary widely in their effectiveness. And sadly, the easiest and
cheapest ways are often the least effective.

Provide
a food source. Some people put out suet and nesting boxes well away from
where the birds are pecking so the birds will be attracted to a better,
tastier spot away from their homes. However, others claim this method can
backfire and the additional food source can end up attracting even more
woodpeckers!

Shout,
bang a pot, or wave a broom at the birds to get them to leave. For this to
be effective, it must be done right after the birds arrive, and each time
they make another appearance, which is usually several times a day at
least.

Hang
strips of aluminum foil or reflective Mylar, Christmas garland, or
windsocks, near the affected area. Or try fastening pinwheels near the
bird’s favorite spot or hanging used or unwanted CDs, after drilling a
hole near the edge and attaching with string or fishing line so they can twirl
and flash in the breeze.

Place
plastic owl, hawk or snake models nearby, or helium balloons with large
eyes drawn on them. These items must be moved every few days, however, or
the birds will get used to, and then ignore them.

Apply
sticky substances or repellants to the area. The birds won’t permanently
stick to the substances, but don’t like the sticky feeling. However,
repellants could cause paint or stain discoloration.

Use a
physical barrier such as a 1/2" or 3/4" wire mesh, (also known
as hardware cloth) or a strong, nylon netting stretched taut over the area
but kept away from the house by about 3 inches. This barrier will keep the
woodpeckers from getting back to their preferred spots and, hopefully,
they'll find another place they like better. Existing holes can be patched
with thin pieces of galvanized sheet metal or thick plastic, which can be
painted to match the house. The galvanized hardware cloth and netting can
also be painted to blend in well with your siding.

Be aware that woodpeckers are protected under the Migratory
Bird Treaty Act of 1918, so for any lethal methods such as trapping or
shooting, it is likely that a permit would be required.